Few things give your photography career a boost like winning a competition – just look at our Photographic Award winners. Here’s our round-up of the best photography competitions that are open right now, whatever your age, interests and level of expertise...
The Sony World Photography Awards 2013
Open to professionals, amateurs, students and young people alike, the Sony World Photography Awards is one of the most respected photography contests in the world. The “Professional” category comes with a prize of $25,000. Deadline: 4 January 2013.
The Terry O’Neill/Tag Award 2012
This award is aimed at finding and promoting new talent, creating a platform for upcoming photographers. First prize is £3,000, and a selection of the top 10 photographers’ work will appear in The Sunday Times magazine. Deadline: 22 November 2012.
RSPCA Young Photographer Awards
One for animal lovers aged 18 or under – enter now for the chance to win one of several prizes: a weekend photography break with top wildlife photographer Danny Green, exclusive RSPCA photo shoots and photography equipment from Olympus. Deadline: 10 September 2012.
Photographer and Young Photographer of the Year 2012
Billed as “the ultimate photo competition”, this one comes courtesy of Practical Photography and Digital Photo magazines, and is offering £26,000-worth of prizes. It’s free to enter and every image will be rated. Deadline: 4 September 2012.
Traces of Humanity International Photography Contest
Turkey’s Bursa Photofest is looking for “photographs narrating the noble human struggle for a better life despite all wars, economic crisis and depletion of resources.” The top prize is €2,000. Deadline: 10 September 2012.
NME Music Photography Awards 2012
In association with Nikon, music bible NME is offering a bunch of brilliant camera equipment for your music shots. Deadline: 12 September 2012.
The Independent on Sunday/Insight Guides 2012
For travel snappers: this is your chance to win an Olympus camera worth £550 and a special commission worth £3,000 – and much more. There’s also a prize for under-18s. Deadline: 14 September 2012.
The Games Effect
Olympics-themed national student photography competition – first prize is a £1,000 commission. Deadline: 14 September 2012.
British Journal of Photography – International Photography Award
Photographs can be captured in any format, film or digital, and can be of any style or genre. Anyone can enter, amateur or professional, from the UK or abroad. Winners’ work will be exhibited at Foto8 in London. Deadline: 15 September 2012.
Travel Photographer of the Year
This competition is open to photographers from all countries; amateur or professional, beginner or expert, young or old. Prizes include travel adventures, photographic equipment and paid commissions (including one for Condé Nast Traveller magazine). Deadline: 17 September 2012.
Black+White Photographer of the Year 2012
This contest is looking for the best black and white photographs of 2012 – first prize is a Leica M Monochrome worth over £8,000, and the best pics will appear in Black+White Photography magazine and at the Leica Store in Mayfair. Deadline: 23 September 2012.
Celebrate a Summer of Sport
The Royal Photographic Society is looking for work on the theme “Spirit of the Games”. Lumix cameras up for grabs, plus an exhibition. Deadline: 30 September 2012.
International Fine Art Photography Award
This award allows for exploration of photography as a multidimensional art, as installation, as an art form integrated with other media or sensory experiences, as a collage or digitally enhanced or manipulated image. The winner receives $1,000 and will have their work exhibited at the NoFound Photo Fair in Paris. Deadline: 14 October 2012.
Photostory 2012: Small Stories
Win a travelling exhibition and a book of your work made in collaboration with an acclaimed designer. Deadline: 31 October 2012.
International Garden Photographer of the Year
Love horticulture? In association with Kew Gardens, this competition is offering a top prize of £5,000. All entrants can receive professional feedback on their entries. Deadline: 30 November 2012.
Got any other photography competitions to shout about? Leave a comment below.
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Image by turkguy0319, under a CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 license.